Missy Elliott, Jill Scott, Doja Cat and more pay tribute to D'Angelo
Tributes are pouring in for legendary R&B artist D'Angelo, who died Tuesday at age 51 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The Grammy winner was known for his album "Brown Sugar" and the songs "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," "Lady," and more, as well as helping to define the neo-soul movement of the 1990s.
Jamie Foxx was among the first to share a tribute to the musician. The Oscar winner took to Instagram on Tuesday, writing in the caption of a post, "Today real tears run down my face.…."
"I remember hearing your music for the first time… I said to myself damn whoever this is they are anointed..." he wrote, adding that the R&B star will be "missed forever."
On X, Missy Elliott wrote, "Rest Peacefully D'Angelo 🙏🏽🕊️."
"No parent want to see their children go but it's painful for children to see their parents go to so send prayers up for his son who also lost his mom this year for strength 🙏🏽 ," the rapper added, referring to D'Angelo's son Michael D'Angelo Archer II.
D'Angelo shared his son Michael with fellow Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone, who died in a car crash in March.
D'Angelo also had two additional children, a daughter and a son.
Singer Jill Scott wrote in a tribute on X, "I told you a long time ago -- You ain't gon understand everything & everything ain't meant 4 U , nor I, to understand."
"I never met D'Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift," Scott continued. "This loss HURTS!! Love to my family that are family to him. I'm so sorry. R.I.P. GENIUS. 💔💔."
Doja Cat also paid tribute to D'Angelo, calling him "a true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come" in a post on X.
She added, "My thoughts, love and prayers go out to his family and friends."
Musician, songwriter and record producer Nile Rodgers also shared a tribute on X, recounting the first time he met D'Angelo.
"My friend Gary Harris brought this musician named D'Angelo over to my NYC apt. He was trying to figure out what to do with the music he'd brought with him," he wrote. "I listened to every cut... not just out of respect but because it was smoking. At the end of the encounter he asked me, 'What should I do with it?'"
Rodgers said he told D'Angelo the music was "perfect" and to "Put it out."
"Being the #artist he is, I guess he had to explore some ways to make it better," he wrote. "About a year later I heard one of those songs on the radio. It was #genius and it was exactly what he had played for me. I know... I still have the original cassette."
DJ Premier, who teamed up with D'Angelo for the 1998 song, "Devil's Pie," which was included on D'Angelo's 2000 album "Voodoo" and first appeared on the soundtrack for the 1998 film "Belly," wrote on X, "Such a sad loss to the passing of D'angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D' Love You KING."
